Diagnostic Challenges

“The Great Imitator”

Lupus is known as “the great imitator”, because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Symptoms can also be unclear, can come and go, and can change.

— Lupus Foundation of America

Clinicians rely upon a series of 11 criteria to diagnose the disease. According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) based classification for lupus, patients with 4 of the 11 criteria are diagnosed as lupus positive. Classification is based on:

Symptoms

Medical history

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory Tests

Early diagnosis is critical in avoiding major organ damage

Laboratory tests are used to monitor some of the ACR criteria

Supplement clinical observations and judgment

No currently available single test can give a definite “yes” or “no” answer

Test results that are indicative of lupus may be due to other illnesses or can even be seen in healthy people